Five Years Later, Greer’s Big Smile Tour Brings Fans Back Together
June 24, 2025 - Portland, Oregon
The last time Greer touched down in Portland, Oregon, was back in 2020, during their first tour following their signing to Epitaph Records. The return from their three-year hiatus was marked by the release of Big Smile on March 21st, a comeback that longtime fans had been waiting for less than patiently. This time around, the band booked the iconic Polaris Hall, a more intimate venue nestled in North Portland. Fans, myself included, began to line up about an hour before doors opened. The sound of their pre-show rehearsal leaked through the walls, stirring our small group with excitement as we bopped our heads and traded stories, ready to finally see the band we’d held onto for years.
Photo via Instagram
I came in with high expectations after first reviewing Big Smile. It was a truly perfect release to mark their comeback. Within the first 30 seconds of the absolutely stunning opening track, “Omnibus”, I knew it would transport the audience as efficiently in person as it did on the record.
Photo via Instagram
What shocked me the most was the turnout, we only took up about half of the already small venue. It baffles me how underrated Greer still is. Upon first observation, the crowd was incredibly kind, respectful, and aware of personal space. This positive take on the crowd quickly became my biggest critique of the show. No one was moving, not much singing. Where was the energy? When Corbin (guitar/vocals) and Seth (bass/vocals) stepped on stage, the room barely reacted until a few seconds later upon their embarrassingly late realization. Throughout the show, there had been times when I wanted to belt out my favorite parts or thrash around (respectfully, I know this is not a hardcore show). I wanted to match the band’s energy, but the crowd created an awkward atmosphere that discouraged me from enjoying the show properly. To put it quite simply: the crowd was fucking boring.
Still, the band’s performance was genuinely great. The boys were fully on brand for Portland, sporting plaid button-ups, DIY trucker hats, and shags. They opened with “Omnibus”, of course, which did indeed match my expectations. Between songs, they chatted with the audience and played silly sound bites from their soundboard, a move that never failed to fill the room with laughter. What I appreciate the most about Greer is how their fun personalities shown through their online presence equally shine through in person. As someone who’s followed them since the early days of their vines and YouTube videos, those moments hit me with a warm sense of nostalgia.
The setlist had a strong balance of new and old tracks, the old tracks were by far the fan favorites. I got the impression that the band picked up on the low energy coming from the crowd as Josiah (lead vocals/guitar) urged us to dance around for the classics. Finally, the voices around me came alive, echoing back the lyrics of beloved songs such as “Bittersweet” and “Song For Me”.
Photo via Instagram
Despite a solid performance, I craved to hear them full send into their rock sound. Big Smile has become a staple in my car. Windows down, volume maxed, screaming along and banging my head without shame. Live, that energy didn’t fully translate. And frankly, I blame the fucking boring crowd. For a band with such electric potential, the lack of movement or even singing felt like a complete disservice.
After a quick exit, we stomped and cheered for an encore. Their set had only been roughly an hour but really felt like 40 minutes, we were not ready to say goodbye just yet. Josiah and Corbin returned alone to play “Audio_77”, the single that had teased the band’s return. Josiah called it his favorite song the band has written and released to date, and honestly, I may agree. When I first listened to the single upon its release, I was captivated by its raw emotion. It felt intimate, something personal, but could still translate into other people's experiences. The duo embraced at the end of the song, signaling the rest of the band to return to their instruments, finishing the night with “Aeroplane”.
Today’s show in Santa Ana, California, marked the end of the ‘Big Smile VS. America’ tour. With the success the band saw in listener numbers and tour success, Greer is clearly gaining momentum. I just hope they ride that wave instead of disappearing for another three years. After this tour, it’s obvious they have more to give, and we’re ready to hear it.
